Fill out the registration form to take the test. According to the Project Management Institute, you can take the CAPM exam only if you satisfy certain work and life experience requirements. Potential exam takers must have at least a high school diploma and 23 hours of management education or 1,500 hours of project management work experience.
Attend a CAPM preparation class, which will teach you a range of project management concepts over the course of a few days or weeks. Courses often meet in the evenings or weekends so they won't conflict with work schedules. Many universities, such as the University of Texas, offer classes on campus taught by people who have CAPM or similar project management certifications. Some courses include workbooks, test simulation software and other supplies as part of the cost of the class.
Read books with helpful tips on preparing for the CAPM exam. Such books include "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Third Edition," which is the official guide from the PMI.
Take sample tests so you can see the kinds of questions that may be on the test. Books with mock tests may have old questions from actual tests or similar questions to the CAPM test. "CAPM Exam Quicklet: Certified Associate in Project Management Practice Exams" has hundreds of test questions so you can quiz yourself. Time yourself during tests to see how well you operate under pressure.